19 literal translations of Bexar County locations

Updated 1:52 pm, Friday, November 21, 2014

Contrary to the sound of it, Béxar does not translate to its homophone. Historians track Bexar to an old Moorish fort Bejar, rooted in a word for "bees" or "land of bee hives."

Contrary to the sound of it, Béxar does not translate to its homophone. Historians track Bexar to an old Moorish fort Bejar, rooted in a word for "bees" or "land of bee hives."

Photo: Zhang Bo, Getty Images

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Selma is a German girl's name meaning "God's helmet."

Selma is a German girl's name meaning "God's helmet."

Photo: Danita Delimont, Getty Images

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O.P. Schnabel Park is rooted in a German surname, meaning "beak."

O.P. Schnabel Park is rooted in a German surname, meaning "beak."

Photo: Dr. Anirban Sinha Photography, Getty Images

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"Zarzamora" translates from Spanish to blackberries. If only this street could be lined with bushes flush with its namesake.

"Zarzamora" translates from Spanish to blackberries. If only this street could be lined with bushes flush with its namesake.

Photo: Tioloco, Getty Images

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"Hall of the Slain" is a Norse phrase that has made its way to Walhalla Avenue.

"Hall of the Slain" is a Norse phrase that has made its way to Walhalla Avenue.

Photo: Louis Fox, Getty Images

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"Schlitterbahn" is a really long German word for a simple concept: slide.

"Schlitterbahn" is a really long German word for a simple concept: slide.

Photo: Dorling Kindersley, Getty Images

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"Schertz" is a German term for a facetious jester.

"Schertz" is a German term for a facetious jester.

Photo: Cornelia Schaible, Getty Images

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San Antonio is closer to Saudi Arabia than you might have known. Given the Moorish influence in Spain, it's not that surprising that Medina traces back to the second most holy city of Islam, the site of the tomb of Muhammad. less

San Antonio is closer to Saudi Arabia than you might have known. Given the Moorish influence in Spain, it's not that surprising that Medina traces back to the second most holy city of Islam, the site of ... more

Photo: Gulale, Getty Images

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Hildebrand is a character from Germanic legend; the name can trace to its Old Norse form for "battle" and "sword."

Hildebrand is a character from Germanic legend; the name can trace to its Old Norse form for "battle" and "sword."

Photo: Cultura RM/Peter Muller, Getty Images

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Flores literally means flowers - duh.

Flores literally means flowers - duh.

Photo: Peter Zelei, Getty Images

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Culebra winds from Spanish to English in "snake."

Culebra winds from Spanish to English in "snake."

Photo: Suebg1 Photography, Getty Images

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In plain English, "cibolo" is Spanish for "buffalo."

In plain English, "cibolo" is Spanish for "buffalo."

Photo: Eastcott Momatiuk, Getty Images

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Calaveras is the musical way to say "skulls."

Calaveras is the musical way to say "skulls."

Photo: Chris Valle, Getty Images

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The Spanish "brazos" translates to "arms" and "limbs." That's not creepy at all.

The Spanish "brazos" translates to "arms" and "limbs." That's not creepy at all.

Photo: David Muir, Getty Images

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The town Helotes derives its name from the Spanish word "elote," which means "ear of corn."

The town Helotes derives its name from the Spanish word "elote," which means "ear of corn."

Photo: Andrew Olney, Getty Images

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La Vernia is on the nose with "green oaks."

La Vernia is on the nose with "green oaks."

Photo: Peter Cade, Getty Images

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Huebner is the German name for farmer.

Huebner is the German name for farmer.

Photo: Hill Street Studios, Getty Images

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"Bandera" is another prettier word for "flag."

"Bandera" is another prettier word for "flag."

Photo: CARLOS EBERT, Getty Images

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With the bloody history of the Alamo, it's hard to believe that the word refers to something as a peaceful as the cottonwood tree.

With the bloody history of the Alamo, it's hard to believe that the word refers to something as a peaceful as the cottonwood tree.

Photo: Witold Skrypczak, Getty Images

19 literal translations of Bexar County locations

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Knowing the correct pronounciation of "Bexar" is half the battle of getting to know the county itself. Who hasn't wondered what the name means or where it came from? It's not a big furry mammal, but "land of bees."

Names of locations around this area have their roots in Spanish and German heritage.

We tracked the origins of some of the more curious names, wondering what exactly words like "Zarzamora" and "Schertz" mean.

Click through the slideshow for 19 literal translastions of Bexar county locations, and if you have any to add, let us know in the comments.